Overview
- The first direct commercial container train from Kolkata Port reached Biratnagar Customs Yard on Thursday, July 23, completing a 40‑wagon movement under the revised transit rules.
- The service moved a canola consignment reported at about 1,225 tonnes and was booked on July 19 before being released after unloading on July 25.
- Rail officials say the operation used the Jogbani–Biratnagar broad‑gauge link inaugurated in June 2023 and the November 2025 Letter of Exchange that amended the India‑Nepal Rail Transit Protocol.
- By allowing containers to enter Nepalese yards without transshipment at the border, the change is expected to cut cargo handling, lower logistics costs and shorten transit times for bilateral trade.
- Officials plan to extend the same arrangement to other corridors, including Kolkata–Nautanwa and Visakhapatnam–Nautanwa, under ongoing Project Steering Committee and Joint Working Group coordination.